​Summing had ability but was not overly consistent and is remembered mostly as the spoiler of Pleasant Colony's Triple Crown bid. He was equally inconsistent as a sire but in fairness did not receive particularly good opportunities.

A bay horse standing 16.0½ hands, Summing was initially nervous and speed-crazy as a juvenile and early 3-year-old. As he matured, he developed a kindlier nature and was more amenable to rating. His consistency as a racer was probably affected by his developing bucked shins three times as a juvenile and a blood infection early in the spring of his 3-year-old season. He ran well on fast tracks and turf but did not handle off going.

As a stallion

The Jockey Club's records show Summing as the sire of 247winners (53.5%) and 15stakes winners (3.2%) from 462named foals. The Blood-Horse credits Summing with 17 stakes winners (3.7%).

Notable progeny

Brazilian Beat (USA), Epitome (USA), Sumptious (USA)

Connections

Foaled in Kentucky, Summing was bred and owned by Charles T. Wilson. He was trained by Luis Barrera. He entered stud in Kentucky in 1982 at Jonabell Farm. Following the 1991 breeding season, he was sent to McCollum's Thoroughbred Farm near Romoland, California. He remained at the farm when it was purchased by Dinesh Maniar and renamed Getaway Farms. He was pensioned from stud duty in 2003 due to declining fertility. He died of natural causes in October 2008.

Pedigree notes

A son of the high-class stakes horse and good sire Verbatim, Summing is inbred 4x4 to Nasrullah. He is a half brother to multiple Grade 2 winner One Sum (by One for All), dam of multiple listed stakes winner Verbality (by Verbatim) and third dam of 2005 Florida Derby (USA-G1) winner High Fly, Grade 2 winner Monkey Puzzle, multiple Group 3 winner Estimraar and Peruvian Group 3 winner Brennero. He is also a half brother to 1983 Violet Handicap (USA-G3) winner Twosome (by One for All), dam of listed stakes winner Gangster (by Mutakddim), and to listed stakes winner Some for All (by One for All). In addition, Summing is a half brother to Missuma (by Procida), dam of listed stakes winners Sum Trick and Disappearing Trick (both by Favorite Trick) and second dam of Grade 2 winner Position Limit. Finally, he is a half brother to Somers Isles (by Green Forest), dam of Grade 2-placed multiple stakes winner Rindanica (by Roy), and to Goldsumone (by Gold Legend), dam of multiple Australian listed stakes winner Enthusiast (by Flying Spur).

Summing and his siblings are out of multiple stakes winner Sumatra, a daughter of the Nashua horse Groton. Sumatra is a full sister to Sumba, dam of 1980 Swaps Stakes (USA-G1) winner First Albert (by Tudor Grey) and third dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Three Hour Nap. She is also a half sister to Sun for All (by One for All), dam of 1989 Rothmans International Stakes (CAN-G1) winner Hodges Bay (by Vigors) and second dam of Grade 3 winners Rancour and Society's Chairman.

Sumatra, in turn, is out of the winner Sunda Strait, whose sire Aboukir II was a high-class racer in Australia. Produced from the winning Djeddah mare Djambi (whose half brother Larky Day, by Blue Larkspur, was a multiple stakes winner both on the flat and over jumps), Sunda Strait is a half sister to Eagle's Wings (by Quick Wink), dam of 1969 Del Mar Debutante Stakes winner Atomic Wings (by Atomic) and multiple juvenile stakes winner Eagle in Flight (by Bobillard).

Six was definitely the lucky number for Summing and his connections on Belmont Day. The race was held on June 6; Summing started from post 6; and jockey George Martens had previously won the sixth race on the card.

Ironically for a horse usually considered a later-maturing stayer, Summing's two champions both won their honors as juveniles, Epitome in the United States and Brazilian Beat in Mexico.